Allura tightened her grip on her lion's controls. She pushed Blue into a tight turn to evade the storm of light bombarding the team.

Lance's voice crackled through her speakers. "These guys aren't taking the hint. Should we take them out?"

Shiro answered quickly. "Everyone behind me. We will strafe one of the frigates," he ordered.

With a deep breath, Allura maneuvered her lion behind their leader. She wondered how much these brigands were willing to lose.

XxX

Lotor held a hand to his chin. He was standing quietly behind Coran, who was busy managing the shielding systems.

The fiery rain emanating from the fleet was unceasing. The pounding reverberated up Lotor's boots. It reminded him of the endless drills he had endured during his childhood.

"Mount the forward shields!" The captain's voice was livid.

"Too late!" Fear permeated every sound.

A rushing shriek pierced the bridge as the forward viewport was penetrated. The atmosphere whipped into a violent, deafening gale. Bodies were ripped from their seats, instantly freezing in the sudden vacuum. Lotor's breath was stripped from his lungs, leaving a raw burning sensation deep in his throat. His heart leapt with a thundering pace.

The gap was only open for a handful of ticks before the heavy blast sheets slammed over the breach.

Lotor took a shaking breath. He knew he would never be rid of that instant.

"Get those vidscreens up!"

War was the harshest teacher. There wouldn't be a next time. His tremoring fingers moved even faster.

The half-blood prince was pulled from his reminisce as Lance's voice came over the communications system. The boy was inquiring about their next move. Shiro's reply was the only one that made sense.

Lotor's golden eyes flicked out the window. The lions were streaking straight towards one of the flanking Galran cruisers. He found himself watching mesmerised as the pinpoints of colour weaved over the ancient vessel. A string of explosions followed each colour like beads along a thread. The lions cut through the defences effortlessly. It was an undeniable display of superior power punctuated, ended, by one final detonation that sent the ship sinking under a pall of smoke.

For a moment, Lotor thought that the pirates would continue the attack even after the massive defeat. It would be entertaining… He chided himself for thinking so barbarically.

The grizzled voice from earlier tore through the bridge. "Stop your attack!" The words dripped wounded venom. Not one tick later, the barrage halted.

Coran straightened from his post. Outside, the lions were regrouping. The frigates began moving slowly through the darkness. They were repositioning, changing directions towards the furthest planet in the system.

Allura's voice was calm over the channel. For whatever reason, it made Lotor's heart ache. "State your intentions."

A pause sent static over the open frequency. After a handful of ticks, the gruff voice spoke. "We intend to land on our planet," he growled. Lotor could feel the hatred through the comm. "Unless you wish to trespass there too," Yurn spat.

Coran's eyebrows jumped up in surprise. The man looked at a loss for words. How did one go about saying that they did, in fact, intend to land on said planet… on a historic enterprise of all things? Lotor only smirked, enjoying watching the man fumble through options before finally deciding to remain silent. Wise.

Thankfully, Allura broke the silence instead of her untactful captain. Her voice still held that firm, calm tone. It cut through the angst effortlessly. "If you must know, we do actually have business on your planet." She took a deep breath and explained as if talking to a small child. "We are examining several places of historical interest on the surface."

Another long silence passed before Yurn replied icily. "That is the only reason you are here?"

Lotor crossed his arms. His eyes stared intently at the points of light outside. The lions were hovering in standby around the Castle.

"Yes," Allura answered resolutely. Lotor's stomach fluttered. He chastised his straying thoughts. Should we reiterate our earlier argument? He cowed at the thought. The raking streaks under his armour burned with the memory.

There was a grumble on the other side of the channel quickly followed by, "Alright. But keep your main ship off the surface. We have a delicate ecosystem."

Lotor tutted. The miserable pirate was in no way to have given any other answer to the Paladins. Briefly, he wondered if Allura would have forced it if Yurn had been stubborn and refused. The idea was intriguing.

"We will land within the next varga." Allura's voice lightened as if she meant to appease the scoundrel. "Tell us the best place to set down."

There was no reply and Lotor felt a flame of annoyance light. It was quickly quelled when the channel dropped and Allura spoke privately to the Castle. "Coran, stay alert but remain out of range. Lotor, can you decipher the most promising Galran outpost?" Her voice was so kind. Something warm laced every syllable directed to him and that pierced his aching soul.

Coran quickly brought up a holographic map of the planet they were hovering over. He fixed Lotor with a gaze that the half-galra could not discern. Lotor raised a perfect eyebrow and glanced at the topography.

"I… am not sure how much the princess told you, but we were searching the records for the research compound."

The tentative nature of the words made a blush threaten to break over Lotor's cheeks. The tiniest flicker of panic bolted down Lotor's spine. Is it really that obvious? What is It?

That she likes you. Hell, she probably loves you. Remember that exhilarating kiss, idiot? She doesn't kiss anyone like that… His stomach capsized, and he suddenly felt sick. Deep betrayal made the nausea far more intense. Keeping a stoic face was difficult. He had never had this much trouble hiding his emotion than he did on this particular subject.

He made up his mind to focus on the specks of cement on the map… The blebs were supposed to signify buildings… It really was a low-quality map… Anxiety was filling his chest… Stop.

Coran spoke into his unspoken nervous breakdown. "What do you think?" The Altean made a point to meet his eyes.

It was suddenly and inexplicably distracting; the first time he had ever seen… recognition… in the man's eyes. Unfamiliar feelings surfaced inside of Lotor and a sharp bite of wariness entered his mind but the tone in the air was suddenly… not unwelcome. It only lasted a moment before his defences clamped down on his reaction. Age-old habit and training kicked into gear like they always did in uncharted territory, but the taste of authenticity remained with him. It almost… almost… felt like those days so long ago.